Gov. Scott: 12,600 new jobs created in West Palm Beach in October

Today, Governor Rick Scott announced that the West Palm Beach metro area’s unemployment rate declined over the year to 6.7 percent in October 2013. The area also added 12,600 new jobs in October.

Governor Scott said, “The West Palm Beach area’s positive job growth rate in October with 12,600 new jobs created is further proof that the steps we’re taking to create jobs and opportunities for Florida families is working. With the area’s unemployment rate down to 6.7 percent, we are seeing continued economic growth in West Palm Beach and across the state.”

In October 2013, the West Palm Beach metro area was among the top three metro areas in Florida for gains over the year in education and health services, and other services.

In October 2013, the West Palm Beach metro area ranked sixth in the state for online job demand with 19,033 job openings. The metro area also ranked sixth for demand for STEM occupations with 4,026 openings. STEM is an acronym for science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and these jobs are considered high wage and high skill.

Florida’s unemployment rate decreased to 6.7 percent in October 2013, down from 6.8 percent in September 2013 and 7.0 in October 2013, and down 4.4 percentage points since December 2010. The statewide unemployment rate has remained below the national average of 7.3 percent since March 2013. Florida has created 440,900 private sector jobs since December 2010.